By NICOLE SMITH
Harbins is a new, bright spot on 17th Street West in downtown Jasper that’s providing locals with landscaping needs and home decor furnishings.
Ashley and Jeremy Harbin opened the his and hers business that is Harbins in May. Jeremy established Harbins Outdoors in 2007 as a residential and commercial landscaping business, and their new property in Jasper allows him to have a workshop for his landscaping needs and a store for Ashley to sell decorative items for the home.
The renovated building and property used to house Hughes Electric. Jeremy said a chance meeting with the property owners allowed them to make the purchase in February and expand Harbins from only serving clients with landscaping needs.
He said the property did require a lot of work, and Harbins recently won a Main Street Alabama award for their vision and revitalization of the space. What was a simple brick building has now received a fresh coat of paint and a decorative mural, and the Harbins are continuing to beautify the landscape surrounding the main building.
“We’re still in the construction phase,” Jeremy said. “We had to do some drainage work because the lay of the land wasn’t perfect here when we bought the lot.”
A space behind the building is being landscaped to provide plants and flowers next spring, and the Harbins recently purchased a line of patio furniture to sell, along with some large pots and planters.
Ashley primarily designed the store side of Harbins, which is currently filled with Christmas decor. Other sections of the store are dedicated to pets, babies and home items that can’t be found in big box stores. Harbins is also offering bridal and baby registries.
“I always wanted my own little shop,” Ashley said.
The Harbins say they are often compared to Chip and Joanna Gaines of “Fixer Upper,” with Ashley having design knowledge and Jeremy focused on outdoor labor. The duo also worked to build and design their own home.
A ribbon cutting was held for Harbins last Thursday, and the store will be open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harbins is closed on Sunday and Monday. For more information about the store or to request landscaping services, call (205) 512-1515.
The Harbins say they have had a great business response so far, and they are happy to be part of Jasper’s downtown district.
“We were adamant that we wanted to be downtown. We just love the atmosphere, and it’s growing,” Ashley said. “It’s got it’s charm, and we wanted to bring something different to Jasper. We feel like we’ve done that.”
Jeremy said he feels that patience and faith in the Lord allowed them to expand the Harbins brand.
